According to sources, the Ministry of external affairs has initiated diplomatic talks to rescue 39 Indian sailors stuck in China. Two cargo vessels with a total of 39 Indians on board have been on anchorage in Chinese waters as they were not allowed to unload their cargo though some other ships have managed to do so. On December 25, China had said that there is no 'link' between stranded Indian ship crew on its Chinese ports and its strained relations with India and Australia.